UN chief condemns "terrible attacks" on Iraqi civilians

The UN Secretary-General has condemned what he called the "terrible attacks" that have recently targeted the people of Iraq.

Speaking in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Monday Ban Ki-moon said he was concerned by the deteriorating security in parts of the country and called on leaders to provide Iraqis with "tangible benefits and a better future."

On Sunday, a car bomb exploded in Baghdad killing at least nine people.

Major offensives have also recently been launched by Al-Qaida associated militants in Ramadi and Fallujah.

Earlier last week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative in Baghdad, Nickolay Mladenov, said that the situation in Fallujah was particularly concerning as existing stocks of food, water and life-saving medicines had begun to run out.

Mr Ban said upcoming parliamentary elections are an opportunity to deliver on the legitimate expectations of the Iraqi people.